5 Raiders players to watch vs. Chargers

The Chargers and Raiders will start their respective seasons with a divisional tilt in Los Angeles.

There are a few Raiders players that the Chargers will need to keep an eye on if they want to start 1-0.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew was recently named the Raiders’ Week 1 starter over Aiden O’Connell. The sixth-year veteran has 37 career starts under his belt, and his level of play will be the main difference-maker in this opener. He has the weapons to succeed, and this contest against the Chargers defense will be his first test of the season.

Brock Bowers

Bowers was the consensus top tight end in this year’s draft, and rightfully so. In three collegiate seasons, the No. 13 overall pick had 2,538 receiving yards and 31 total touchdowns. He’s been nursing a foot injury, which has forced him to be limited in practice throughout the week. Assuming he’s active in Week 1, the Chargers must account for him at all times, particularly in the red zone.

Zamir White

With Josh Jacobs gone, the Raiders’ No. 1 running back job now belongs to White. In his start against the Chargers last season, he tallied 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Los Angeles’ defense allowed the second-most receiving yards to tailbacks in 2023, which will be something to watch in this Week 1 matchup.

Christian Wilkins

The former Dolphins star landed in Las Vegas back in March. His presence in the middle should only make things easier for edge rusher Maxx Crosby, which should cause concerns for the Chargers in Week 1. In 2022, Wilkins wreaked havoc against the Bolts with six tackles and a sack.

Jack Jones

Jones is the Raiders’ top cornerback and had an interception in the late-season blowout in 2023. Without a true No. 1 wideout for Los Angeles, Jones could be in for a big day.